Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Richard Russell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Richard , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My story is pretty much like everyone else’s in a sense. I’ve been a fan of film ever I was kid. At the age of 8 I always thought I wanted to be a writer, but it wasn’t until my dad bought me a copy of “SAVING PRIVATE RYAN” when I decide to becoming a filmmaker instead. I just remeber watching the movie, being just taken away from how powerful that film truly is. Then watching the BEHIND-THE-SCENES on how they made the film. Just learning on how they were able to achieve certain scenes, Learning what the actor to go through, and learning about the cinematography.

Jump to the present day, I’ve had some very mild success with some of my short films such as THEWLIS, IT’LL BE OKAY, and A FAMILY MATTER, now I’m trying to get ready for my third attempt at a feature length film, Shadows of Thewlis.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was born in Akron, Ohio, but grew up in Canal Fulton. I started Dark Hearts Production pretty much right after I graduated High School back 2014, so I’ve had my Production company for a good ten years now. At Dark Hearts Proudctions we primarily produce thrillers, horror, and drama, but we do throw a comedy in once in a while. When I was 20 years I started shooting some small short films with my friends, then I took a risk and made my first feature film, Dinner Guest that took 2 years to finish, but that movie alone has its own story. After movie I tried to make a movie called Abnormality that never really went anywhere.

After Abnormality was shelved I did couple music videos for some local band in here in Ohio. In 2019, I tried to make another feature called Mr.Darkness, that was a very important film to me at that time. However, when pandemic hit, I tried everything in my power to save the movie, but nevertheless I unfortunately had to pull plug on that.

So Dark Hearts Productions was at a standstill for a good 2 years, until former acquaintance of mine, pretty talked me into giving another shot. So, I did! Honestly it has it moments where it’s stressful, but I never regretted give it another shot.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding for me as a artist is meeting talented people Who are just as creative , if not more than me. I have met so many wonderful people in this new journey of mine and a lot of them I love to call my personal friends.

Three people really come to mind when I think about the most rewarding aspect of being artist.

James L. Edwards, Who has been in the business since the late 1980s to 1990s. I have nothing but the most up most respect to him because he took me under his wing when he was in production for his movie TRIVIAL. Which working on that movie really Gave me back love I have For the filmmaking industry. James knows if he’s ever is in production for a film.All he ever has to do is give me a call.And I will always be there to help him out because he helped me out.

Heather Bayles, she’s talented actress, who actually been branching out into writing, she produced A FAMILY MATTER, newest short film LET ME GO, and our feature film, SHADOWS OF THEWLIS. As we speak she’s getting ready for her directorial debut for her short film Ludella. I honestly couldn’t be more proud of her.

Last, but definitely not least is my good Samuel L. Fronsman. Sam and I met on Facebook believe or not, and we got to talking about my feature, then we started talking his movie IN THE HANDS OF FATE, which I had the Privilege to work that as a camera operator. Again, he’s another who I’m just so.glad I got to meet and also work with.

So, that’s the most rewarding aspect of being an artist to me.It’s just having these three wonderful people in my life.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The biggest lesson I had to unlearn was “if you want something done right, you ought do it yourself” I quickly learned that I can’t do everything myself.And the best thing to do is to find people who could help me improve on everything that needs to be improved. I would like to believe I have gotten better of asking people for help when I really need it. Prime example Would be when we did the short film for THEWLIS Was I did not have the proper sound equipment to make the film. Luckily since then I have met wonderful people like jessie marlin williams, Davis Woodering and Michael Render, who are just Wonderful to work with when it comes to sound.

I also learned this don’t ever let the smallest success that you get get into your head and booster ego it’s your ego. Anthony hopkins once said in the interview, ” The ego is the most dangerous thing anyone can have.You can have a little bit of it to keep yourself going , but you can never let it control you.”

Contact Info:

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